CA1163910A - Vehicle seat including adjustable side bolsters - Google Patents
Vehicle seat including adjustable side bolstersInfo
- Publication number
- CA1163910A CA1163910A CA000379604A CA379604A CA1163910A CA 1163910 A CA1163910 A CA 1163910A CA 000379604 A CA000379604 A CA 000379604A CA 379604 A CA379604 A CA 379604A CA 1163910 A CA1163910 A CA 1163910A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- frame assembly
- drive
- support
- drive shaft
- bolster
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/90—Details or parts not otherwise provided for
- B60N2/986—Side-rests
- B60N2/99—Side-rests adjustable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/90—Details or parts not otherwise provided for
- B60N2/986—Side-rests
Abstract
VEHICLE SEAT INCLUDING ADJUSTABLE
SIDE BOLSTERS
ABSTRACT
A vehicle seat including a backrest portion and a seating portion, each having a pair of movable lateral bolster sections mounted on opposite sides thereof to its frame assembly, wherein a manual adjust-ment mechanism for each pair selectively and simultane-ously moves its bolster sections in a controlled fashion between first and second lateral support posi-tions and wherein the adjustment mechanism maintains the bolster sections in both the first and second lateral support positions. Each of the bolster sec-tions includes a rigid paddle which is embedded in the body of resilient material and which is hingedly connected to the frame assembly. The adjustment mechanism includes a handwheel which upon rotation causes its corresponding paddles to pivot with respect to its frame assembly, either toward each other or away from each other depending upon the direction of rotation.
In a first embodiment of the invention the paddles com-prise metal plates and in a a second embodiment one pair of the paddles comprise skeletal frames.
SIDE BOLSTERS
ABSTRACT
A vehicle seat including a backrest portion and a seating portion, each having a pair of movable lateral bolster sections mounted on opposite sides thereof to its frame assembly, wherein a manual adjust-ment mechanism for each pair selectively and simultane-ously moves its bolster sections in a controlled fashion between first and second lateral support posi-tions and wherein the adjustment mechanism maintains the bolster sections in both the first and second lateral support positions. Each of the bolster sec-tions includes a rigid paddle which is embedded in the body of resilient material and which is hingedly connected to the frame assembly. The adjustment mechanism includes a handwheel which upon rotation causes its corresponding paddles to pivot with respect to its frame assembly, either toward each other or away from each other depending upon the direction of rotation.
In a first embodiment of the invention the paddles com-prise metal plates and in a a second embodiment one pair of the paddles comprise skeletal frames.
Description
9 1 ~
~ 1 --VE~ICLE SE~T INCLUDING ADJUST~BLE
SIDE BOLSTERS
TEC~NICAL FIELD
This invention relates to vehicle seats and in particular to vehicle seats in which the shape of the v~hicle seat may be changed.
BACKGRO~N~ ART
The driver and other occupa~ts of motor vehicles experience various driving stresses during the course of a typical drive. Such stress to the body may also include stress to the spine which often causes dis-comfort and which may cause injury in extreme situations.
The occupants of vehicles may be forced in a lateral direction with respect to their seat, for example, during a vehicle collision or during a sharp turn. The occupants may be thrown against other occupants of the ~ehicle or the inner side walls of the vehicle. When the driver of the vehicle experiences such forces, he may lose control of the vehicle.
If the backrest portion and/or the seating por-tion of the vehicle seat are each provided with a pair of lateral bolsters or bolster sections, lateral move-ment of the occupant of the vehicle seat is more restric-ted to protect the occupant of the seat. Such a back-rest portion of a vehicle seat is disclosed in the U.S.
Patent of Faust 3,Ç27,379.
The protective quality of vehicle seats having lateral bolster sections is largely determined by how snugly the side bolster sections are laterally positioned about the occupant of the vehicle seat. It is desirable that the distance between such bolster sections be slightly greater than the width of the occupant of the seat, While such snugness is desirable for safety reasons, a certain amount of looseness is also important 1 ~B3gl~
~or the comfort of the occupant. Also such looseness allows the driver the necessary freedom o~ movement to drive the ~ehicle.
One possible, yet impractical, solution for providing such la$eral support with comfort is to have each vehicle seat custom made to fit each occupant.
Such a seat would be expensive and would invariably fail to accommodate others. Also, depending on the amount of clothing worn by the occupant, the seat may at times be unsuitable for an occupant for whom the seat was designed. Obviously, the optimum difference in distance between the bolster section varies depend-ing on the effective width of the occupant.
Consequently, it is desirable that the effective distance between such bolster sections be variable to provide the necessary support and comfort for the particular occupant of the vehicle seat, One known method is to adjust the lateral position of each bolster section by a handwheel which, upon rotation, causes the associated bolster section to move relative to its associated backrest portion. In this way, the distance between the adjusted bolster section and the bolster section mounted at the opposite side o~ the backrest por-tion is varied. The other bolster section may be indi-vidually adjusted by its own handwheel in a similarfashion.
Such a method for varying the distance between a pair of corresponding bolster sections is not only complicated but also time-consuming in that each of the bolster sections must be individually adjusted to obtain the proper distance therebetween. Furthermore, once the proper distance is obtained, it is possible that one o~ the bolster sections may be angled to a greater or lesser extent with respect to its corresponding backrest or seating portion than other bolster sections 11~391~
thereby causing discomfort to the occupant of the seat.
Vehicle seats generally of the type to which this invention relates are disclosed by United States Patent to Goldner 4,169,899, Tischler 3,727,980 and Capener et al 3,623,768.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle seat.
According to a broad aspect of the invention, there is provided in combination with a vehicle seat having a backrest portion and seating portion, a pair of movable lateral bolster sections mounted on opposite sides of at least one of said portions and projecting therefrom, and adjustment means including a pair of drive members, for selectively and simultaneously moving the bolster sections in a controlled fashion between a first lateral support position and a second lateral support position, wherein each of said bolster sections has inner and outer parts, said sections being connected at opposite sides of said one of said portions at their inner parts and wherein said one of said portions includes a frame assembly and wherein each of said bolster sections includes a rigid support paddle, having an outer free end portion and an inner, supported end portion, the inner end portion of said support paddle being hingedly connec~ed to said frame assembly to permit the support paddle to rotate about a first longitudinal axis and wherein each support paddle is hingedly connected to its respective drive member to permit the support paddle to rotate with respect to the drive member about a second longitudinal axis spaced away from the first longitudinal axis to move the free end portion of the support paddle about the first longitudinal axis.
lt~3g1~
The adjustment means is preferably manually actuated to move the bolster section between the first and second lateral support posi.tions.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing a vehicle seat construc-ted according to this invention;
FIGURE 2 is a front view of the vehicle seat;
FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 wherein the top and bottom sides of the vehicle seat are partially broken away;
.~
1 1~3~ 10 FIGURE 4 is a front view o~ a seating portion of the vehicle seat, partially broken away, and showing an interconnected bolster section in two of its lateral support positions in phantom;
FIGURE 5 is a top view o~ the seating portion showing an adjustment mechanism for varying the distance between interconnected bolster sections;
FIGCRE 6 is a top view of a backrest portion of the vehicle seat, partially b~oken away, showing interconnected bolster sections in a first-lateral support position by solid lines and a second lateral support position in phantom;
FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGVRE 3 showing a second embodiment of the present in~ention;
~IGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 showing two lateral support positions of one of the interconnec-ted bolster sections in phantom;
FIGURE 9 is a top view, partially broken away, of a part of an adjustment mechanism shown in FIGURE 8;
FIGURE 10 is a bottom view of a backrest portion of the vehicle seat of the second embodiment, partially broken away, showing two lateral support positions of the interconnected bolster sections in phantom; and FIGURE 11 is a rear view, partially broken away, of the backrest portion of the second embodiment and the interconnected bolster sections.
BEST MODE FOR CA~RYING OUT ~HE INVENTION
Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a vehicle seat constructed according to the present invention is indicated collectively by reference numeral 20 and inc:Ludes a seating portion 22, an interconnected backrest portion 24 and a head support 23 mounted at the top of the backrest portion 24. A pair of movable lateral bolster sections comprising a right-hand bolster section 26 and left-hand bolster section 28 are mounted on .
1 1~3~10 opposite sides of the s~ating portion 22 and project above the top part of the seating portion 22 to laterally support the lower part of the occupant of the seat 20 therebetween.
A second pair of movable lateral bolster sections comprising a right-hand bolster section 30 and a left-hand bolster section 32 are mounted on opposite sides of the backre!st portion 24 and project towards the front of the vehicle seat 20 to laterally support the upper part of the occupant of the vehicle seat 20 therebetween.
The lateral bolster sections 26, 28 30 and 32 are adapted to take up the considera~le forces which may occur in the transverse directions of the backrest portion 24 and the seating portion 22, for example, when the person occupying the seat drives at a consider-able speed along a curve and is pressed against either the right-hand bolster sections 26 and 30 or the left-hald bolster sections 28 and 32.
With reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, the seating portion 22 includes a frame assembly 34 to which the right and left-hand seating bolster sections 26 and 28 are hingedly connected at their inner ends. More particularly, the bolster sections 26 and 28 include rigid paddles 36 in the form of metal or plastic paddles or plates, which are pivotally connected to the ~rame assembly 34 at their lower ends by pivot rods 38. The lower ends of the paddles 36 are formed with sleeves 39 for rotatably retaining the opposite ends of the pivot rods 38 therein. The pivot rods 38 are, in turn, sup-ported by support brackets 40 of the ~rame assembly 34.
Each of the paddles 36 is embedded along with a suitable spring assembly ~not shown) within a body of foam plastic material and an upholstery fabric is applied to the outer surface of the body to complete 1 1~3~ 10 the construction of each of the right and le~t-hand bolster sections 26 and 28, respectivelyO
With reference to FIGURE 5, an adjustment mechanism, generally indicated at 42, is provided ~or alterately moving both the right and left-hand bolster sections 26 and 28, respecti.vely, either toward each other or away from each other, thereby providing a lesser or greater seating area therebetween. The ad~ustment mechanism 42 selectively and simultaneously moves the right and left-hand bolster sections 26 and 28 in a ~ontrolled fashion between a first lateral support position and a second lateral support position as shown in FIGURE 4. The adjustment mechanism 42 also retains and supports the right and left-hand bolster sections 26 and~8 in any desired lateral support position there-between.
More particularly, the adjustment mechanism 42 is pivotally connected to both of the paddles 36 to pivotally move the paddles 36 about their respective pivot rods 38. The adjustment mechanism 42 includes a single handwheel 44 which is fixedly connected at one end of a drive rod 46 which extends outwardly from its seating portion 22. The drive rod 46 is supported on the frame assembly 34 by a plastic or rubber support bushing 48, as best shown in FIGURE 4. A lower end portion 47 of the bushing 48 is secured to the ~rame assembly 34 and a hollow, cylindrical, upper portion 49 of the bushing 48 supports the rod 46 therewithin above the frame assembly 34.
Opposite the handwheel 44 the drive rod 46 includes a threaded portion 50 which is threadedly received within a movable threaded nut 52 having an upwardly extending pin 54 connected thereto. The pin 54 is received within an aperture 55 which extends through 1 ~3~10 an arm 56 of a rotary device 58. Movement of the threaded nut 52 axially along the rod 46 causes the rotary device 58 to rotate about an upwardly extending axle pin 60 which is fixedly connected to the frame assembly 34 and which extends through an aperture 61 formed concentrically through the rotary device 58.
The rotary device 58 loosely fits on the pin 61 to allow the device 58 to rotate in response to axial movement by the nut 52. The rotary device 58 rotates through a slight angle as shown in FIGURE 5 when the threaded nut 52 moves on the drive rod 46 in response to rotary motion imparted to the drive rod 46 at the handwheel 44.
The rotary device 58 further includes a plate structure 62 integrally formed with the arm 56 and a pair of arms 64 and 65 integrally formed with the plate structure 62 at opposite sides thereof, Each of the arms 64 and 65 includes a pair of spaced flanges 66 and 68 as best shown in FIGU~E 4, Tapered end portions 70 of rigid, oppositely extending push rods 72 are re~
ceived and retained in their corresponding flanges 6 and 68. The end portions 70 are pivotally connected therebetween the ~langes 66 and 68 by pivot pins 74.
The push rods 72 are also pivotally connected at their opposite tapered end portions 76 to the paddles 36 by pivot rods 78. The rods 78 are mounted on the paddles 36 by brackets 80.
If the rotary device 58 rotates in a clockwise direction as shown in FIGURE 5, paddles 36 are pulled toward each other by the push rods 72. If the rotary device 58 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the paddles 36 are pushed away from each other by the push rods 72.
With reference to FIGURE 6, the backrest portion 24 includes an internal frame assembly 81 having a pair of substantially identical right and left-hand cage ~ ~63~1 t7 _ 9 _ structures 82 located at opposite sides of the backrest portion 24. Pivot rods 8~ are supported by their respective cage structures 82 at their opposite ends.
A pair of paddles 8~ of the bolster sections 30 and 32 are pivotally mounted on the pivot rods 84 at the inner ends of the paddles 86. The outer ends of the paddles 86 may be connected to spring assemblies including longitudinally extending wires 87 which are embedded within the bolster sections 30 and 32 as in the bolster sections 26 and 2B.
The bolster sections 30 and 32 of the backrest portion 34 are selectively moved simultaneously toward or away from each other in controlled fashion by an adjustment mechanism 88. The adjustment mechanism 88 is adapted to move the bolster sections 30 and 32 between a first lateral support position as shown by the solid lines in FIGURE 6 and a second lateral support position as shown by the phantom lines. The adjustment mechanism 88 also maintains the bolster sections 30 and 32 in both of the first and second support positions and any desired support positions therebetween.
The adjustment mechanism 88 includes a handwhael 90 coupled to a threaded drive shaft 92 which, in turn, is coupled to a substantially identical second threaded drive shaft 94 by a flexible drive cable g6. The flexible drive cable 96 is connected to each of the drive shafts 92 and 94 such as by set screws (not shown).
The first and second drive shafts 92 and 94 are rotatably supported within their respective cage structures 82 by spaced pairs of nylon bushings 98. The first and second dri~e shafts 92 and 94 extend through interconnected first and second support rails 100 and 102 of their corresponding cage structures 82 at the supported bushings. The externally threaded drive shafts 92 and 94 extend in opposite directions, the purpose of .,~
~ ~6~
which will become apparent hereinbelow.
Disposed within the cage structures 82 and threadedly mounted on their respective drive shafts 92 and 94 are internally threaded drive nuts 104. Each of the drive nuts 104 includes a forwardly extending portion 106 which extends through elongated slots 108 formed through side wall portions 110 of the first support rails 100 and are guided therewithin. The drive nuts 104 are threaded to move a~ially along their threaded drive shafts 92 and 94 either away or towards each other in response to the rotary motion of the handwheel 90.
Pairs of rigid arm members 112 are fixedly con-nected to their respective drive nuts 104 and are piYotally connected at their opposite ends to tabs 114 which are fixedly mounted to their respective paddles 86. The drive nuts 104 move axially along the drive shafts 92 and 94 either toward each other or away from each other to pivot-ally move the paddles 86 either toward or away from each other through the interconnection of the arm members 112.
Referring to FIGU Æ 7, there is shown a second and preferred embodiment of a vehicle seat 120 constructed according to the present invention. Like the vehicle seat 20, the vehicle seat 120 includes a seating portion 122, an interconnected ba~krest portion 124 and a head support 125 connected to the top of the backrest portion 124.
As in the first embodiment, the vehicle seat 120 includes seating bolster sections 128 (only one of which is shown) hingedly connected at opposite sides of the seating portion 122~ Also as in the first embodiment, the vehicle seat 120 includes right and left-hand backrest bolster sections 130 and 132, respectively, hingedly connected to the back-rest portion 124 at their inner ends.
The seating portion 122 includes a frame assembly 134 to which paddles 136 (only one of which is shown) are piYotally connected by pivot rods 138 (only one of which is shown~. The frame assembly 134 includes a pair of support 1 163~10 cages 140, each of ~hich supp~t thei~ respectiye pivot rods 138 at an outer support bracket 141, Each of the paddles 136 is fixedly connected to a spring assembly (not shown) of the bolster sections 130 and 132. Each of the paddles 136 to~ether with its associated spring assembly are embedded in a body of oam plastic material so that the bolster sections move ~ith their associated paddle 136, An adjustment mechanism 142 is provided for selectively and simultaneously moving the seating bolstex sections 128 between their various lateral support posi-tions including the lateral support positions shown in phantom in FIGURE 8 for the left hand bolster section 128, The adjustment mechanism 142 includes a handwheel 144 adapted to be gripped by the occupant of the seat adjacent the left-hand bolster section 128. The handwheel 144 is coupled to a drive screw or threaded rod 146. The drive screw 146 is coupled to a second drive screw 150 by a connecting tube 152 to transfer the rotary motion of the fixst drive screw 146 to the second drive screw 150. The drive screws 146 and 150 are supported by the first support brackets 141 and interconnected second support bxackets 147 of the support cages 140. The drive screws 146 and 150 are rotatably supported and extend therethrough the first and second support brackets 141 and 147 at supported nylon bushings 149. Set screws (not shown) secure the connecting tube to both of the drive screws 146 and 150.
lnternally threaded drive nuts 152 (only one of which is shown in FIGURE 9 with reference to the left-hand seating bolster section 128) are threadedly mounted on the threaded portions of the first and second drive screws 146 and 150, respectively. Each of the drive nu~s 152 includes an upwardly extending end portion 154 which extends through a slot 153 ~ormed through an upper wall portion 155 o~ each of the second support brackets 157. As the drive screws 146 and 150 are rotated, the drive nuts 152 are guided within their corresponding ~ ~6391~
slots 153.
A pair of rigid arm members 156 are fixedly connected to the drive nuts 152 to move therewith. The ends 157 of the arm members 156 are connected to their respe~tive paddles 136 by mounting brackets lS9 to thereby interconnect the threaded nuts 152 and the paddles 136. The paddles 136 pivot about the pivot rods 138 when the threaded nuts 152 move in an axial direction along the first and second drive screws 146 and 150, respectively.
With reference to FIGURES 10 and 11, a frame assembly 181 of thebackrest portion 124 includes a pair of spaced cage structures 182. The cage structures 182 have integrally formed therewith pairs of spaced mounting 15 flanges 183 to which paddles 186 of the bolster sections 130 and 132 are pivotally mounted, as described in greater detail hereinbelow.
The paddles 186 which comprise skeletal frames, are fixedly connected to their associates spring assemblies 20 (part of which is shown at 187 in FIGURES 10 and 11) and the paddles 186, together with their associated spring assemblies are embedded in a body of foam plastic material to form the bolster sections 130 and 132 so that the bolster sections 130 and 132 move with their associated paddles 186.
The paddles 186 are moved from a first lateral support position as shown by the solid lines in FIGURE 10 to other lateral support positions, two of which are shown by the phantom lines in FIGURE 10, by an adjustment 30 mechanism 188 including a manually operated handwheel 1~3.
The handwheel 190 is coupled to an externally threaded drive shaft 192 which, in turn,is coupled to a second externally threaded drive shaft 194 by a flexible drive cable 196, the ends of which are connected to the first 35 and second drive shafts 192 and 194, respectively, such as by set screws (not shown). The first and second 1~63gl~
drive shafts lg2 and 194 axa rotatably supported within their respective cage structures 182 by pairs of bushings 198. The bushings 198 support the first and second drive shafts 192 and 194, respectively, at inner and outer rails 200 and 202 of the cage structures 182 through which the first and second drive shafts 192 and 194 extend.
Internally threaded drive nuts 204 are mounted on the drive shafts 192 and 194. The paddles 186 are connected to the drive nuts 204 to rotate the paddles 186 by pins 206 connected to the drive nuts 204 and which extend through elongated slots 208 formed through upper and lower frame members 189 and 191, respectively, of the paddles 186. InterconnectivP frame members 193 of the paddles 186 connect the upper and lower frame members 189 and 191 to provide structural strength.
The upper and lower parts 1~9 and 191, respectivel~, of the paddles 186 are pivotally connected to the ~lange portions 183 of their respective cage structures 182 by pivot pins 209 which extend through the upper and lower parts 189 and 191 o~ the paddles 186. The elongated slots 208 allow the drive nuts 204 to move in an axial direction either towards or away from each other on the first and second drive shafts 192 and 194, respectively, to thereby cause the paddles 186 to rotate about their respective pivot pins 209 and to thereby move from one lateral support position to another lateral support posi-tion. When the handwheel 190 is rotated, the first and second drive shafts 192 and 194 will rotate in the same direction. However, the threads of the second drive shaft 194 will rotate in the opposite direction since the ends of the first and second drive shafts 192 and 194 are intercoupled by,the flexible drive cable 196.
While two embodiments, including a preferred ~ ~ .
~ ~63glO
embodiment of the invention have been shown and des-cribed herein in detail, those skilled in this art will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the present invention as defined by the following claims.
~ 1 --VE~ICLE SE~T INCLUDING ADJUST~BLE
SIDE BOLSTERS
TEC~NICAL FIELD
This invention relates to vehicle seats and in particular to vehicle seats in which the shape of the v~hicle seat may be changed.
BACKGRO~N~ ART
The driver and other occupa~ts of motor vehicles experience various driving stresses during the course of a typical drive. Such stress to the body may also include stress to the spine which often causes dis-comfort and which may cause injury in extreme situations.
The occupants of vehicles may be forced in a lateral direction with respect to their seat, for example, during a vehicle collision or during a sharp turn. The occupants may be thrown against other occupants of the ~ehicle or the inner side walls of the vehicle. When the driver of the vehicle experiences such forces, he may lose control of the vehicle.
If the backrest portion and/or the seating por-tion of the vehicle seat are each provided with a pair of lateral bolsters or bolster sections, lateral move-ment of the occupant of the vehicle seat is more restric-ted to protect the occupant of the seat. Such a back-rest portion of a vehicle seat is disclosed in the U.S.
Patent of Faust 3,Ç27,379.
The protective quality of vehicle seats having lateral bolster sections is largely determined by how snugly the side bolster sections are laterally positioned about the occupant of the vehicle seat. It is desirable that the distance between such bolster sections be slightly greater than the width of the occupant of the seat, While such snugness is desirable for safety reasons, a certain amount of looseness is also important 1 ~B3gl~
~or the comfort of the occupant. Also such looseness allows the driver the necessary freedom o~ movement to drive the ~ehicle.
One possible, yet impractical, solution for providing such la$eral support with comfort is to have each vehicle seat custom made to fit each occupant.
Such a seat would be expensive and would invariably fail to accommodate others. Also, depending on the amount of clothing worn by the occupant, the seat may at times be unsuitable for an occupant for whom the seat was designed. Obviously, the optimum difference in distance between the bolster section varies depend-ing on the effective width of the occupant.
Consequently, it is desirable that the effective distance between such bolster sections be variable to provide the necessary support and comfort for the particular occupant of the vehicle seat, One known method is to adjust the lateral position of each bolster section by a handwheel which, upon rotation, causes the associated bolster section to move relative to its associated backrest portion. In this way, the distance between the adjusted bolster section and the bolster section mounted at the opposite side o~ the backrest por-tion is varied. The other bolster section may be indi-vidually adjusted by its own handwheel in a similarfashion.
Such a method for varying the distance between a pair of corresponding bolster sections is not only complicated but also time-consuming in that each of the bolster sections must be individually adjusted to obtain the proper distance therebetween. Furthermore, once the proper distance is obtained, it is possible that one o~ the bolster sections may be angled to a greater or lesser extent with respect to its corresponding backrest or seating portion than other bolster sections 11~391~
thereby causing discomfort to the occupant of the seat.
Vehicle seats generally of the type to which this invention relates are disclosed by United States Patent to Goldner 4,169,899, Tischler 3,727,980 and Capener et al 3,623,768.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle seat.
According to a broad aspect of the invention, there is provided in combination with a vehicle seat having a backrest portion and seating portion, a pair of movable lateral bolster sections mounted on opposite sides of at least one of said portions and projecting therefrom, and adjustment means including a pair of drive members, for selectively and simultaneously moving the bolster sections in a controlled fashion between a first lateral support position and a second lateral support position, wherein each of said bolster sections has inner and outer parts, said sections being connected at opposite sides of said one of said portions at their inner parts and wherein said one of said portions includes a frame assembly and wherein each of said bolster sections includes a rigid support paddle, having an outer free end portion and an inner, supported end portion, the inner end portion of said support paddle being hingedly connec~ed to said frame assembly to permit the support paddle to rotate about a first longitudinal axis and wherein each support paddle is hingedly connected to its respective drive member to permit the support paddle to rotate with respect to the drive member about a second longitudinal axis spaced away from the first longitudinal axis to move the free end portion of the support paddle about the first longitudinal axis.
lt~3g1~
The adjustment means is preferably manually actuated to move the bolster section between the first and second lateral support posi.tions.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing a vehicle seat construc-ted according to this invention;
FIGURE 2 is a front view of the vehicle seat;
FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 wherein the top and bottom sides of the vehicle seat are partially broken away;
.~
1 1~3~ 10 FIGURE 4 is a front view o~ a seating portion of the vehicle seat, partially broken away, and showing an interconnected bolster section in two of its lateral support positions in phantom;
FIGURE 5 is a top view o~ the seating portion showing an adjustment mechanism for varying the distance between interconnected bolster sections;
FIGCRE 6 is a top view of a backrest portion of the vehicle seat, partially b~oken away, showing interconnected bolster sections in a first-lateral support position by solid lines and a second lateral support position in phantom;
FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGVRE 3 showing a second embodiment of the present in~ention;
~IGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 showing two lateral support positions of one of the interconnec-ted bolster sections in phantom;
FIGURE 9 is a top view, partially broken away, of a part of an adjustment mechanism shown in FIGURE 8;
FIGURE 10 is a bottom view of a backrest portion of the vehicle seat of the second embodiment, partially broken away, showing two lateral support positions of the interconnected bolster sections in phantom; and FIGURE 11 is a rear view, partially broken away, of the backrest portion of the second embodiment and the interconnected bolster sections.
BEST MODE FOR CA~RYING OUT ~HE INVENTION
Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a vehicle seat constructed according to the present invention is indicated collectively by reference numeral 20 and inc:Ludes a seating portion 22, an interconnected backrest portion 24 and a head support 23 mounted at the top of the backrest portion 24. A pair of movable lateral bolster sections comprising a right-hand bolster section 26 and left-hand bolster section 28 are mounted on .
1 1~3~10 opposite sides of the s~ating portion 22 and project above the top part of the seating portion 22 to laterally support the lower part of the occupant of the seat 20 therebetween.
A second pair of movable lateral bolster sections comprising a right-hand bolster section 30 and a left-hand bolster section 32 are mounted on opposite sides of the backre!st portion 24 and project towards the front of the vehicle seat 20 to laterally support the upper part of the occupant of the vehicle seat 20 therebetween.
The lateral bolster sections 26, 28 30 and 32 are adapted to take up the considera~le forces which may occur in the transverse directions of the backrest portion 24 and the seating portion 22, for example, when the person occupying the seat drives at a consider-able speed along a curve and is pressed against either the right-hand bolster sections 26 and 30 or the left-hald bolster sections 28 and 32.
With reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, the seating portion 22 includes a frame assembly 34 to which the right and left-hand seating bolster sections 26 and 28 are hingedly connected at their inner ends. More particularly, the bolster sections 26 and 28 include rigid paddles 36 in the form of metal or plastic paddles or plates, which are pivotally connected to the ~rame assembly 34 at their lower ends by pivot rods 38. The lower ends of the paddles 36 are formed with sleeves 39 for rotatably retaining the opposite ends of the pivot rods 38 therein. The pivot rods 38 are, in turn, sup-ported by support brackets 40 of the ~rame assembly 34.
Each of the paddles 36 is embedded along with a suitable spring assembly ~not shown) within a body of foam plastic material and an upholstery fabric is applied to the outer surface of the body to complete 1 1~3~ 10 the construction of each of the right and le~t-hand bolster sections 26 and 28, respectivelyO
With reference to FIGURE 5, an adjustment mechanism, generally indicated at 42, is provided ~or alterately moving both the right and left-hand bolster sections 26 and 28, respecti.vely, either toward each other or away from each other, thereby providing a lesser or greater seating area therebetween. The ad~ustment mechanism 42 selectively and simultaneously moves the right and left-hand bolster sections 26 and 28 in a ~ontrolled fashion between a first lateral support position and a second lateral support position as shown in FIGURE 4. The adjustment mechanism 42 also retains and supports the right and left-hand bolster sections 26 and~8 in any desired lateral support position there-between.
More particularly, the adjustment mechanism 42 is pivotally connected to both of the paddles 36 to pivotally move the paddles 36 about their respective pivot rods 38. The adjustment mechanism 42 includes a single handwheel 44 which is fixedly connected at one end of a drive rod 46 which extends outwardly from its seating portion 22. The drive rod 46 is supported on the frame assembly 34 by a plastic or rubber support bushing 48, as best shown in FIGURE 4. A lower end portion 47 of the bushing 48 is secured to the ~rame assembly 34 and a hollow, cylindrical, upper portion 49 of the bushing 48 supports the rod 46 therewithin above the frame assembly 34.
Opposite the handwheel 44 the drive rod 46 includes a threaded portion 50 which is threadedly received within a movable threaded nut 52 having an upwardly extending pin 54 connected thereto. The pin 54 is received within an aperture 55 which extends through 1 ~3~10 an arm 56 of a rotary device 58. Movement of the threaded nut 52 axially along the rod 46 causes the rotary device 58 to rotate about an upwardly extending axle pin 60 which is fixedly connected to the frame assembly 34 and which extends through an aperture 61 formed concentrically through the rotary device 58.
The rotary device 58 loosely fits on the pin 61 to allow the device 58 to rotate in response to axial movement by the nut 52. The rotary device 58 rotates through a slight angle as shown in FIGURE 5 when the threaded nut 52 moves on the drive rod 46 in response to rotary motion imparted to the drive rod 46 at the handwheel 44.
The rotary device 58 further includes a plate structure 62 integrally formed with the arm 56 and a pair of arms 64 and 65 integrally formed with the plate structure 62 at opposite sides thereof, Each of the arms 64 and 65 includes a pair of spaced flanges 66 and 68 as best shown in FIGU~E 4, Tapered end portions 70 of rigid, oppositely extending push rods 72 are re~
ceived and retained in their corresponding flanges 6 and 68. The end portions 70 are pivotally connected therebetween the ~langes 66 and 68 by pivot pins 74.
The push rods 72 are also pivotally connected at their opposite tapered end portions 76 to the paddles 36 by pivot rods 78. The rods 78 are mounted on the paddles 36 by brackets 80.
If the rotary device 58 rotates in a clockwise direction as shown in FIGURE 5, paddles 36 are pulled toward each other by the push rods 72. If the rotary device 58 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the paddles 36 are pushed away from each other by the push rods 72.
With reference to FIGURE 6, the backrest portion 24 includes an internal frame assembly 81 having a pair of substantially identical right and left-hand cage ~ ~63~1 t7 _ 9 _ structures 82 located at opposite sides of the backrest portion 24. Pivot rods 8~ are supported by their respective cage structures 82 at their opposite ends.
A pair of paddles 8~ of the bolster sections 30 and 32 are pivotally mounted on the pivot rods 84 at the inner ends of the paddles 86. The outer ends of the paddles 86 may be connected to spring assemblies including longitudinally extending wires 87 which are embedded within the bolster sections 30 and 32 as in the bolster sections 26 and 2B.
The bolster sections 30 and 32 of the backrest portion 34 are selectively moved simultaneously toward or away from each other in controlled fashion by an adjustment mechanism 88. The adjustment mechanism 88 is adapted to move the bolster sections 30 and 32 between a first lateral support position as shown by the solid lines in FIGURE 6 and a second lateral support position as shown by the phantom lines. The adjustment mechanism 88 also maintains the bolster sections 30 and 32 in both of the first and second support positions and any desired support positions therebetween.
The adjustment mechanism 88 includes a handwhael 90 coupled to a threaded drive shaft 92 which, in turn, is coupled to a substantially identical second threaded drive shaft 94 by a flexible drive cable g6. The flexible drive cable 96 is connected to each of the drive shafts 92 and 94 such as by set screws (not shown).
The first and second drive shafts 92 and 94 are rotatably supported within their respective cage structures 82 by spaced pairs of nylon bushings 98. The first and second dri~e shafts 92 and 94 extend through interconnected first and second support rails 100 and 102 of their corresponding cage structures 82 at the supported bushings. The externally threaded drive shafts 92 and 94 extend in opposite directions, the purpose of .,~
~ ~6~
which will become apparent hereinbelow.
Disposed within the cage structures 82 and threadedly mounted on their respective drive shafts 92 and 94 are internally threaded drive nuts 104. Each of the drive nuts 104 includes a forwardly extending portion 106 which extends through elongated slots 108 formed through side wall portions 110 of the first support rails 100 and are guided therewithin. The drive nuts 104 are threaded to move a~ially along their threaded drive shafts 92 and 94 either away or towards each other in response to the rotary motion of the handwheel 90.
Pairs of rigid arm members 112 are fixedly con-nected to their respective drive nuts 104 and are piYotally connected at their opposite ends to tabs 114 which are fixedly mounted to their respective paddles 86. The drive nuts 104 move axially along the drive shafts 92 and 94 either toward each other or away from each other to pivot-ally move the paddles 86 either toward or away from each other through the interconnection of the arm members 112.
Referring to FIGU Æ 7, there is shown a second and preferred embodiment of a vehicle seat 120 constructed according to the present invention. Like the vehicle seat 20, the vehicle seat 120 includes a seating portion 122, an interconnected ba~krest portion 124 and a head support 125 connected to the top of the backrest portion 124.
As in the first embodiment, the vehicle seat 120 includes seating bolster sections 128 (only one of which is shown) hingedly connected at opposite sides of the seating portion 122~ Also as in the first embodiment, the vehicle seat 120 includes right and left-hand backrest bolster sections 130 and 132, respectively, hingedly connected to the back-rest portion 124 at their inner ends.
The seating portion 122 includes a frame assembly 134 to which paddles 136 (only one of which is shown) are piYotally connected by pivot rods 138 (only one of which is shown~. The frame assembly 134 includes a pair of support 1 163~10 cages 140, each of ~hich supp~t thei~ respectiye pivot rods 138 at an outer support bracket 141, Each of the paddles 136 is fixedly connected to a spring assembly (not shown) of the bolster sections 130 and 132. Each of the paddles 136 to~ether with its associated spring assembly are embedded in a body of oam plastic material so that the bolster sections move ~ith their associated paddle 136, An adjustment mechanism 142 is provided for selectively and simultaneously moving the seating bolstex sections 128 between their various lateral support posi-tions including the lateral support positions shown in phantom in FIGURE 8 for the left hand bolster section 128, The adjustment mechanism 142 includes a handwheel 144 adapted to be gripped by the occupant of the seat adjacent the left-hand bolster section 128. The handwheel 144 is coupled to a drive screw or threaded rod 146. The drive screw 146 is coupled to a second drive screw 150 by a connecting tube 152 to transfer the rotary motion of the fixst drive screw 146 to the second drive screw 150. The drive screws 146 and 150 are supported by the first support brackets 141 and interconnected second support bxackets 147 of the support cages 140. The drive screws 146 and 150 are rotatably supported and extend therethrough the first and second support brackets 141 and 147 at supported nylon bushings 149. Set screws (not shown) secure the connecting tube to both of the drive screws 146 and 150.
lnternally threaded drive nuts 152 (only one of which is shown in FIGURE 9 with reference to the left-hand seating bolster section 128) are threadedly mounted on the threaded portions of the first and second drive screws 146 and 150, respectively. Each of the drive nu~s 152 includes an upwardly extending end portion 154 which extends through a slot 153 ~ormed through an upper wall portion 155 o~ each of the second support brackets 157. As the drive screws 146 and 150 are rotated, the drive nuts 152 are guided within their corresponding ~ ~6391~
slots 153.
A pair of rigid arm members 156 are fixedly connected to the drive nuts 152 to move therewith. The ends 157 of the arm members 156 are connected to their respe~tive paddles 136 by mounting brackets lS9 to thereby interconnect the threaded nuts 152 and the paddles 136. The paddles 136 pivot about the pivot rods 138 when the threaded nuts 152 move in an axial direction along the first and second drive screws 146 and 150, respectively.
With reference to FIGURES 10 and 11, a frame assembly 181 of thebackrest portion 124 includes a pair of spaced cage structures 182. The cage structures 182 have integrally formed therewith pairs of spaced mounting 15 flanges 183 to which paddles 186 of the bolster sections 130 and 132 are pivotally mounted, as described in greater detail hereinbelow.
The paddles 186 which comprise skeletal frames, are fixedly connected to their associates spring assemblies 20 (part of which is shown at 187 in FIGURES 10 and 11) and the paddles 186, together with their associated spring assemblies are embedded in a body of foam plastic material to form the bolster sections 130 and 132 so that the bolster sections 130 and 132 move with their associated paddles 186.
The paddles 186 are moved from a first lateral support position as shown by the solid lines in FIGURE 10 to other lateral support positions, two of which are shown by the phantom lines in FIGURE 10, by an adjustment 30 mechanism 188 including a manually operated handwheel 1~3.
The handwheel 190 is coupled to an externally threaded drive shaft 192 which, in turn,is coupled to a second externally threaded drive shaft 194 by a flexible drive cable 196, the ends of which are connected to the first 35 and second drive shafts 192 and 194, respectively, such as by set screws (not shown). The first and second 1~63gl~
drive shafts lg2 and 194 axa rotatably supported within their respective cage structures 182 by pairs of bushings 198. The bushings 198 support the first and second drive shafts 192 and 194, respectively, at inner and outer rails 200 and 202 of the cage structures 182 through which the first and second drive shafts 192 and 194 extend.
Internally threaded drive nuts 204 are mounted on the drive shafts 192 and 194. The paddles 186 are connected to the drive nuts 204 to rotate the paddles 186 by pins 206 connected to the drive nuts 204 and which extend through elongated slots 208 formed through upper and lower frame members 189 and 191, respectively, of the paddles 186. InterconnectivP frame members 193 of the paddles 186 connect the upper and lower frame members 189 and 191 to provide structural strength.
The upper and lower parts 1~9 and 191, respectivel~, of the paddles 186 are pivotally connected to the ~lange portions 183 of their respective cage structures 182 by pivot pins 209 which extend through the upper and lower parts 189 and 191 o~ the paddles 186. The elongated slots 208 allow the drive nuts 204 to move in an axial direction either towards or away from each other on the first and second drive shafts 192 and 194, respectively, to thereby cause the paddles 186 to rotate about their respective pivot pins 209 and to thereby move from one lateral support position to another lateral support posi-tion. When the handwheel 190 is rotated, the first and second drive shafts 192 and 194 will rotate in the same direction. However, the threads of the second drive shaft 194 will rotate in the opposite direction since the ends of the first and second drive shafts 192 and 194 are intercoupled by,the flexible drive cable 196.
While two embodiments, including a preferred ~ ~ .
~ ~63glO
embodiment of the invention have been shown and des-cribed herein in detail, those skilled in this art will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the present invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims (17)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In combination with a vehicle seat having a backrest portion and seating portion, a pair of movable lateral bolster sections mounted on oppo-site sides of at least one of said portions and projecting therefrom, and adjustment means including a pair of drive members, for selectively and simultaneously moving the bolster sections in a controlled fashion between a first lateral support position and a second lateral support position, wherein each of said bolster sections has inner and outer parts, said sec-tions being connected at opposite sides of said one of said portions at their inner parts and wherein said one of said portions includes a frame assembly and wherein each of said bolster sections includes a rigid support paddle, having an outer free end portion and an inner, supported end portion, the inner end portion of said support paddle being hingedly connected to said frame assembly to permit the support paddle to rotate about a first longitudinal axis and wherein each support paddle is hingedly connected to its respective drive member to permit the support paddle to rotate with respect to the drive member about a second longitudinal axis spaced away from the first longitudinal axis to move the free end portion of the support paddle about the first longitudinal axis.
2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustment means is adapted to be manually activated to move the bolster sections between said first and second lateral support positions.
3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 including a pair of hinge assemblies having a pivot member supported by said frame assembly and connected to its respective support paddle to allow its respective support paddle to pivot rela-tive to the frame assembly.
4. The combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein said adjustment means includes at least one rotary drive shaft rotatably supported by said frame assembly and further including handle means fixedly connected to said drive shaft for manually rotating said drive shaft.
5. The combination as claimed in claim 4 wherein said adjustment means includes a second rotary drive shaft rotatably supported by said frame assembly and wherein said adjustment means further includes motion transmitting means con-nected to said first and second drive shafts for transmitting mechanical power from said drive shaft to said second drive shaft.
6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said motion transmitting means com-prises a flexible drive cable.
7. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of said drive members is con-nected to each of said drive shafts for simul-taneously moving said support paddles relative to the frame assembly as the drive shafts ro-tate.
8. The combination as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first drive shaft comprises a threaded screw and wherein said drive member is threadedly mounted on said screw for moving along the axis of rotation of the screw as said screw rotates.
9. The combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein said second drive shaft comprises a second threaded screw and wherein said second drive member is threadedly mounted on said second screw for moving along the axis of rota-tion of said second screw as said second screw rotates to move its corresponding support paddle to thereby move its responsive bolster section.
10. The combination as claimed in claim 4 wherein said adjustment means includes a link assembly operatively associated with said drive shaft and each of said support paddles for simul-taneously moving said support paddles as said drive shaft rotates.
11. The combination as claimed in claim 10 including motion converting means coupled to said drive shaft and to said link assembly for converting the rotary motion of said drive shaft to a linear motion of said link assembly.
12. The combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein said motion converting means includes a coupling member threadedly mounted on said drive shaft for moving along the rotary axis of said drive shaft.
13. The combination as claimed in claim 12 wherein said motion converting means includes a second coupling member rotatably mounted on said frame assembly and coupled to said first coupling member to rotate about its rotary axis, said coupling member moving along the rotary axis of the drive shaft.
14. The combination as claimed in claim 13 wherein said link assembly includes at least two link members, each of said link members being pivotally connected at opposite ends of said second coupling member and extending in opposite directions therefrom towards their re-spective support paddles.
15. In combination with a vehicle seat having a backrest portion and a seating por-tion, a pair of movable lateral bolster sec-tions mounted on opposite sides of at least one of said portions and projecting therefrom, and adjustment means including a pair of drive members, for selectively and simultaneously moving the bolster sections in a controlled fashion between a first lateral support posi-tion and a second lateral support position, wherein each of said bolster sections has inner and outer parts, said sections being connected at opposite sides of said one of said portions at their inner parts and wherein said one of said portions includes a frame assembly and wherein each of said bolster sections includes a rigid support paddle, having an outer free .
end portion and an inner, supported end portion, the inner end portion of said support paddle being hingedly connected to said frame assembly to permit the support paddle to rotate about a first longitudinal axis and wherein each support paddle is hingedly connected to its respective drive member to permit the support paddle to ro-tate with respect to the drive member about a second longitudinal axis spaced away from the first longitudinal axis to move the free end portion of the support paddle about the first longitudinal axis, coupling means pivoted to said frame assembly to rotate thereon about a pivot point, said coupling means interconnecting said drive members, operating means including a rotary drive shaft rotatably supported by said frame assembly with handle means for manually rotating said drive shaft, a coupling member threaded on said drive shaft to be mov-able along said shaft, said coupling member coupled to said coupling means whereby movement of said coupling member along said shaft as a result of the manual rotation of said shaft cau-ses said coupling means to rotate about said pivot point on said frame assembly to cause said drive members to simultaneously move said support paddles.
end portion and an inner, supported end portion, the inner end portion of said support paddle being hingedly connected to said frame assembly to permit the support paddle to rotate about a first longitudinal axis and wherein each support paddle is hingedly connected to its respective drive member to permit the support paddle to ro-tate with respect to the drive member about a second longitudinal axis spaced away from the first longitudinal axis to move the free end portion of the support paddle about the first longitudinal axis, coupling means pivoted to said frame assembly to rotate thereon about a pivot point, said coupling means interconnecting said drive members, operating means including a rotary drive shaft rotatably supported by said frame assembly with handle means for manually rotating said drive shaft, a coupling member threaded on said drive shaft to be mov-able along said shaft, said coupling member coupled to said coupling means whereby movement of said coupling member along said shaft as a result of the manual rotation of said shaft cau-ses said coupling means to rotate about said pivot point on said frame assembly to cause said drive members to simultaneously move said support paddles.
16. In combination with a vehicle seat having a backrest portion and a seating portion, a pair of movable lateral bolster sections mounted on opposite sides of at least one of said portions and projecting therefrom, and adjustment means including a pair of drive mem-bers, for selectively and simultaneously moving the bolster sections in a controlled fashion between a first lateral support position and a second lateral support position, wherein each of said bolster sections has inner and outer parts, said sections being connected at opposite sides of said one of said portions at their inner parts and wherein said one of said portions includes a frame assembly and wherein each of said bolster sections includes a rigid support paddle, having an outer free end portion and an inner, supported end por-tion, the inner end portion of said support paddle being hingedly connected to said frame assembly to permit the support paddle to rotate about a first longitudinal axis and wherein each support paddle is hingedly connected to its respective drive member to permit the sup-port paddle to rotate with respect to the drive member about a second longitudinal axis spaced away from the first longitudinal axis to move the free end portion of the support paddle about the first longitudinal axis, coupling means pivoted to said frame assembly to rotate there-on about a pivot point, operating means includ- .
ing a rotary drive shaft rotatably supported by said frame assembly with handle means for manually rotating said drive shaft, a coupling member threaded on said drive shaft to be mov-able along said shaft, said coupling member coupled to said coupling means whereby manual rotation of said shaft causes said coupling means to rotate about said pivot point on said frame assembly to cause said drive members to simultaneously move said support paddles.
ing a rotary drive shaft rotatably supported by said frame assembly with handle means for manually rotating said drive shaft, a coupling member threaded on said drive shaft to be mov-able along said shaft, said coupling member coupled to said coupling means whereby manual rotation of said shaft causes said coupling means to rotate about said pivot point on said frame assembly to cause said drive members to simultaneously move said support paddles.
17. In combination with a vehicle seat having a backrest portion and a seating portion, a pair of movable lateral bolster sections mounted on opposite sides of at least one of said portions and projecting therefrom, and adjustment means including a pair of drive mem-bers, for selectively and simultaneously moving the bolster sections in a controlled fashion between a first lateral support position and a second lateral support position, wherein each of said bolster sections has inner and outer parts, said sections being connected at opposite sides of said one of said portions at their inner parts and wherein said one of said portions includes a frame assembly and wherein each of said bolster sections includes a rigid support paddle, having an outer free end portion and an inner, supported end portion, the inner end por-tion of said support paddle being hingedly con-nected to said frame assembly to permit the sup-port paddle to rotate about a first longitudinal axis and wherein each support paddle is hingedly connected to its respective drive member to permit the support paddle to rotate with respect to the drive member about a second longitudinal axis spaced away from the first longitudinal axis to move the free end portion of the support paddle about the first longitudinal axis, coupling means pivoted to said frame assembly to rotate thereon about a pivot point, operating means including a rotary drive shaft rotatably supported by said frame assembly with handle means for manually rotating said drive shaft, a coupling member threaded on said drive shaft to be movable along said shaft, said coupling member coupled to said coupling means whereby said coupling member moves along said shaft as a result of the manual rotation of said shaft, said coupling means rotating about said pivot point on said frame assembly to cause said drive members to simultaneously move said support paddles.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US17353680A | 1980-07-30 | 1980-07-30 | |
| US173,536 | 1980-07-30 | ||
| AU79632/82A AU7963282A (en) | 1980-07-30 | 1982-01-19 | Vehicle seat side bolsters |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1163910A true CA1163910A (en) | 1984-03-20 |
Family
ID=25639316
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000379604A Expired CA1163910A (en) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-06-12 | Vehicle seat including adjustable side bolsters |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU7963282A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1163910A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3129525A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2487744A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2081086A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007006122A1 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2007-01-18 | Intier Automotive Inc. | Bench seat with movable bolsters |
Families Citing this family (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3728753C1 (en) * | 1987-08-28 | 1989-01-26 | Daimler Benz Ag | Motor-vehicle seat with an adjustable side support |
| DE19510789C2 (en) * | 1995-03-24 | 2002-07-18 | Johnson Controls Naue Engineer | Vehicle seat with interchangeable side support cushions on the seat cushion and on the backrest |
| DE19605779C2 (en) * | 1996-02-16 | 2000-05-25 | Audi Ag | Vehicle seat with adjustable seat and backrest bolsters |
| DE19649149B4 (en) * | 1996-11-27 | 2005-08-11 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | A method of adjusting a vehicle seat component |
| DE19737270C1 (en) * | 1997-08-27 | 1999-03-18 | Faure Bertrand Sitztech Gmbh | Seat for motor vehicle |
| DE19737271C1 (en) * | 1997-08-27 | 1999-05-06 | Faure Bertrand Sitztech Gmbh | Seat for motor vehicle |
| DE19920216B4 (en) * | 1999-05-03 | 2012-06-14 | Volkswagen Ag | Automotive seat |
| DE202004010857U1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2005-11-24 | Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg | Device for adjusting the sides of a vehicle seat comprises a support part guide integrated in a drive housing for receiving a support part |
| DE202004013668U1 (en) * | 2004-08-30 | 2006-01-05 | Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg | Motor vehicle seat with adjustable side bolsters |
| US7232174B1 (en) * | 2005-04-11 | 2007-06-19 | Trott Gregory L A | Adjustable vehicle seat for providing lateral torso support |
| DE102005045207B4 (en) | 2005-09-21 | 2011-09-01 | Johnson Controls Gmbh | vehicle seat |
| DE102012005691B4 (en) * | 2012-03-21 | 2014-12-24 | Audi Ag | Adjusting device for on a vehicle seat on both sides pivotally mounted side cheeks |
| TW201615455A (en) * | 2014-10-30 | 2016-05-01 | Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd | Car seat |
| DE102018202502A1 (en) * | 2018-02-19 | 2019-08-22 | Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kg, Coburg | Adjustment device with tensioned spring element |
| DE102018202503A1 (en) * | 2018-02-19 | 2019-08-22 | Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kg, Coburg | Seat assembly with adjusting device and associated padded part |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1365348A (en) * | 1971-12-16 | 1974-09-04 | Vauxhall Motors Ltd | Vehicle seat |
| FR2276798A1 (en) * | 1974-07-03 | 1976-01-30 | Peugeot & Renault | ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR SIDE PARTS OF A SEAT ELEMENT |
| DE2721539C2 (en) * | 1977-05-13 | 1983-11-24 | Keiper Recaro GmbH & Co, 7312 Kirchheim | Adjustable vehicle seat |
-
1981
- 1981-06-12 CA CA000379604A patent/CA1163910A/en not_active Expired
- 1981-07-23 GB GB8122790A patent/GB2081086A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1981-07-27 DE DE19813129525 patent/DE3129525A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1981-07-29 FR FR8114750A patent/FR2487744A1/en active Pending
-
1982
- 1982-01-19 AU AU79632/82A patent/AU7963282A/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007006122A1 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2007-01-18 | Intier Automotive Inc. | Bench seat with movable bolsters |
| US7766425B2 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2010-08-03 | Intier Automotive Inc. | Bench seat with movable bolsters |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2487744A1 (en) | 1982-02-05 |
| GB2081086A (en) | 1982-02-17 |
| AU7963282A (en) | 1983-07-28 |
| DE3129525A1 (en) | 1982-05-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |